People travel to different places for various purposes, and spirituality is one of them. Visiting a religious place is a pilgrimage. People with deep faith in their religion execute it once in their lives.
As a first-timer, you may have several questions in mind as you decide to go on such a spiritual journey. In this post, learn about:
- Why Should You Go on a Pilgrimage in India?
- Top 10 Religious Places in India
Why Should You Go on a Pilgrimage in India?
People who visit a religious site are pilgrims, and their journey to a specific spiritual place is a pilgrimage. They take it to wash away their bad karma (sins), seek moksha (liberation), and get blessings from God they believe in.
A pilgrimage helps people connect with God and offers a unique experience of personal reflection, emotional healing, and cultural immersion. You should go on a pilgrimage in India as:
- India is a country of different religions – Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, and Christianity.
- It houses numerous temples, mosques, churches, and gurudwaras that hold rich history, tradition, and culture. Sometimes, you can find a temple and a mosque in close proximity.
- It provides you with inner peace, calmness, and cultural immersion.
- Visiting a religious place like the Sun Temple or Jama Masjid helps you connect to India’s glorious history.
Top 10 Religious Places in India
As a pilgrim, you question yourself what religious place you should visit. It is, as India has a large number of temples, mosques, and churches. To assist you, here are some prominent religious places of India with a brief description:
1. Varanasi (Banaras)
Varanasi, also known as Banaras and Kashi, lies on the bank of the Ganga. It is in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Counted among the holiest places, this city is also among the best places to visit in Uttar Pradesh, India.
The term Varanasi is composed of two words, Varuna and Assi, which are the names of two rivers. This city is acknowledged as the cultural capital of India and was a learning centre in the past. Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world and has a history of more than 3,000 years.
According to Hindu mythology, it is home to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva himself founded this holy city. This city has one of the Shakti Peethas and the twelve Jyotirlinga sites. Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi helps them attain salvation. While visiting Varanasi, you can:
- Participate in Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Take a spiritual boat ride on the Ganga River
- Explore the ancient ghat – Assi Ghat
- Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- See the Dhamek Stupa and visit Sarnath to know about Buddhism
2. Ajmer, Rajasthan
The term Ajmer is a combination of two separate terms, Ajay and Meru, which mean ‘invincible hills’. Ajmer is well known for the Dargah Sharif, which houses the Tomb of Garib Nawaz. It is a holy site for Islamic followers. However, millions of Muslim and Hindu devotees visit this place to seek blessings.
In your pilgrimage to Ajmer, you can explore:
- Akbar Palace & Museum
- Taragarh Fort
- Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
- Anasagar
- Nareli Jain Temple
- Nasiyan Temple
3. Amritsar, Punjab
Amritsar is highly acknowledged for the Golden Temple. The temple is the most sacred place for Sikhs worldwide. Amritsar is one of the most visited religious places in India.
The literal meaning of Amritsar is the pool of nectar. Its name is taken from the Amrit Sarovar, a holy tank surrounding the Golden Temple. Guru Ram Das, the 4th guru of the Sikhs, established this city in 1577 CE. Apart from this temple, you can explore the following sites in Amritsar:
- Jallianwala Bagh
- Durgiana Temple
- Gobindgarh Fort
- Central Sikh Museum
- Maharaja Ranjith Singh Museum
- Wagah Border
4. Gaya, Bodh Gaya (Bihar)
Bodh Gaya, which is a part of the city of Gaya, has a close association with the Buddhist legacy. Here, Mahatma Buddha got enlightenment under a tree, which is famous as the Bodhi Tree. Apart from Buddhism, Gaya is a holy place for Hindus, especially during the Shradh Month.
In Gaya, you can explore:
- Mahabodhi Temple
- Bodhi Tree
- Thai Monastery
- Sujatha Temple
5. Udupi, Karnataka
Nestled between the Arabian Sea and the mountains of the Western Ghats, Udupi is a famous pilgrimage in India. It is 59 km away from Mangalore and 403 km away from Bangalore.
Udupi is highly recognised for its temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, Sri Krishna Temple. This temple attracts Hindu followers from all parts of India and the world. In this temple, Lord Krishna’s idol is richly decorated with jewels. Apart from this temple, visit or explore:
- Kaup Beach
- Maple Beach
- St Mary’s Island
6. Shirdi, Maharashtra
Shirdi is the abode of Shirdi Sai Baba’s shrine. Sai Baba is one of the greatest saints of India. He visited Shirdi in his early 20s and stayed there till his death in 1918. Shirdi is a place where Sai Baba left his body and attained his final abode, Samadhi. Followers of every religion love to visit Shirdi to get his blessings.
The temple, his Samadhi, is known as the Shirdi Temple and spans around 200 square metres. This temple falls among the wealthiest temples in India. Visiting this temple includes exploring Samadhi Mandir, Gurudarshan, Chavadi, Dwarkamai, and Lendi Baug.
In addition to the Shirdi Temple, you can visit the following places in Shirdi:
- Maruti Temple
- Khandoba Mandir
- Sai Heritage Village
- Shanisinghnapur
7. Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Located 562 km from Chennai, the Rameshwaram Temple is among the most famous religious places in India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga sites in India. Your pilgrimage to Varanasi is complete without visiting Rameshwaram.
After killing Ravana, Rameshwaram is the place where Sri Ram worshipped Lord Shiva to wash away his sins. Along with Puri, Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Dwarka, Rameshwaram is the most visited Hindu pilgrimage site. In addition to the Rameshwaram Temple, you can visit:
- Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple
- Agnitheertham
- Gandamadana Parvatham
- Dhanushkodi
- Kothandaraswamy Temple
- Erwadi
8. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Situated on the bank of the Ganga River and the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is a sacred place for Hindus. This place is the starting point for people on the Char Dham Yatra (Gangotri, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Kedarnath).
In addition, Rishikesh is acknowledged as the Yoga Capital of the World. It hosts an International Yoga Festival for one week each year. The festival is usually held in February.
In Rishikesh, you can explore several temples, ashrams, and places. Some of them you can explore or enjoy include:
- Triveni Ghat
- Neel Kanth Mahadev Temple
- Swarganiwas Temple
- Bharat Mandir
- Mountain Biking
- Bungee Jumping
- Water Rafting
9. Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, is among the Sapta Puri (seven cities) that Hindus consider holy. Other cities are Kanchipuram, Ayodhya, Ujjain, Varanasi, Haridwar, and Dwarka.
Mathura is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River. It is famous as Brajbhoomi, a sacred land for Lord Krishna. The city has the Sri Krishna Janmbhoomi Temple, which is built on the site of the prison where Krishna was born. The site is known as Garbha Griha. Millions of Hindu devotees visit this temple in Mathura on Janmashtami each year.
Apart from this temple in Mathura, you can:
- Visit Dwarkadhish Temple
- Take a boat ride at Vishram Ghat
- Explore ancient artefacts at the Mathura Museum
- Visit the Prem Mandir (Vrindavan)
- See the historic Kansa Qila
- Experience temples like Dauji Temple and Gita Mandir
10.Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Popularly known as Tirumala Tirupati, or simply Tirumala, the town is home to a sacred temple. This town is famous for the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, also known as the Sri Venkateswara Temple. Tirupati is a holy place for Hindu pilgrims in India.
Apart from the Sri Venkateswara Temple, you can do the following things in Tirupati:
- Worship at the Kapileswara Temple and the Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
- Explore the Swami Pushkarini Lake
- Walk inside the lush Sri Venkateswara National Park
- Witness the Talakona Waterfall
Conclusion
Each part of India has a specific religious place or pilgrimage destination. These destinations showcase rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as spirituality. Each of them has its own spiritual significance and helps devotees discover their inner peace.
Based on your religious faith and needs, you can include some or all of the destinations mentioned above for your spiritual tourism. You can choose other religious sites for your pilgrimage in India. Whatever place you choose to visit for pilgrimage, ensure you respect and follow the rituals and traditions there.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is pilgrimage in India?
A pilgrimage in India is teerthyatra, which means a journey to a sacred or holy place in English. People do it to wash out their sins, seek moksha, find inner peace, and establish a connection to God.
2. What are the most prominent pilgrimages of India?
The prominent pilgrimages of India include Varanasi, Jagannath Puri, Mathura, Ramesharam, Ayodhya, Udupi, and many more.
3. Which is the largest pilgrimage in India?
Kedarnath, Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (Prayagraj), and Tirupati Balaji are the largest pilgrimages in India.
4. What is a Char Dham Yatra?
A Char Dham Yatra is a holy journey to four sacred places – Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. This journey usually starts from Rishikesh.
5. What are the most famous religious places in India?
Varanasi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Tirupati Balaji, Vaishno Devi, Shirdi Sai Baba, the Golden Temple, and the Char Dham (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Puri, Rameswaram) are the most famous religious places in India.
